SummerSlam 2006 had a lot of star power on the card, but the show failed to live up to the expectations. However, some matches certainly delivered with others being duds.
The 19th annual SummerSlam was tri-branded for the first time with the inclusion of the ECW brand. It was also the first time that the ECW Championship would be defended at SummerSlam which was a historical moment. However, there were a couple of iconic figures missing off the card with Kurt Angle shortly on his way out of the company, and The Undertaker not wrestling on a SummerSlam card for the first time since 1991.
Unbeknownst to many, it would be WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan's final match in a WWE ring. Alongside the ECW Title on the line, both of the major World Titles were up for grabs, and Mr. McMahon competed on SummerSlam for the first time. DX's reunion was in full swing, and there was a brutal "I Quit" match on the card.
7 King Booker Vs. Batista
Batista was hellbent on regaining the World Heavyweight Championship that he never lost, consider he vacated the title in January 2006 due to sustaining a bicep injury. The Animal challenged King Booker for the gold, and the two had a real-life bust-up behind the scenes leading up to this match.
Whilst, Booker is a far superior worker than Batista inside the squared circle with more experience, they failed to convert their animosity into great matches. The crowd wasn't heavily invested either and Booker assaulted Batista with his scepter. Booker's wife Queen Sharmell would get involved, and Booker retained albeit by disqualification.
6 Big Show Vs. Sabu
Aforementioned, it was the first time that the ECW Championship was defended at SummerSlam. Big Show was the reigning ECW Champion and he collided with the popular Sabu, who overcame Rob Van Dam in a ladder match to earn a shot at Show.
Their Extreme Rules match was incredibly lackluster despite the involvement of weapons. There were a couple of botches with Sabu trying to put Show through the table, but he fell off the ropes, so they improvised and Sabu executed a DDT to put Show through it. Ultimately, there was only going to be one winner, and Show retained the ECW Championship with a devastating Chokeslam through the table.
5 Hulk Hogan Vs. Randy Orton
Randy Orton showed no mercy to legends and he was looking to add Hulk Hogan to the list of legends he has beaten. The Legend and Legend Killer squared off in an average match which clearly showed that Hogan was past his prime and he wore a knee brace.
Orton dominated large portions of the match, but he received a chorus of boos as the fans in the TD Garden in Boston wanted Hogan to prevail. Hogan's movement was poor and Orton thought that he had the match won when he planted Hogan with an RKO. The Hulkster put his foot on the rope, and the match continued with Hogan hulking up and coming out victorious in his final WWE match with his patented Leg Drop.
4 Chavo Guerrero Vs. Rey Mysterio
Chavo Guerrero and Rey Mysterio were no strangers to each other as they engaged in classic battles over the Cruiserweight Championship. However, their match at SummerSlam was a grudge match as Chavo cost Mysterio the World Heavyweight Championship at The Great American Bash.
This is a very good opening match on the card which gets overlooked, but they knocked it out of the park. Guerrero was extremely aggressive and Mysterio retaliated with some offense of his own. Nonetheless, Chavo's auntie Vickie Guerrero made her way down to ringside and she repeatedly screamed "stop fighting." She had a significant impact on the result as she inadvertently pulled the ropes which caused Mysterio to fall. Chavo took advantage and sealed the deal with the Frog Splash paying homage to his late Uncle Eddie.
3 DX Vs. The McMahons
Bell to bell, The McMahons knew that they were no match for DX so they had a cunning plan they were looking to employ before the bell even sounded. The McMahons sent The Spirit Squad to the ring who was easily dismantled by DX. However, The McMahons called upon SmackDown's Mr. Kennedy, William Regal, and Finlay to get in on the act. They got overpowered until ECW Champion Big Show interfered and put Triple H through the announce table.
With The Game out of the picture, The McMahons isolated Michaels and they used the Hart Foundation's Hart Attack and The Road Warriors' Doomsday Device. Nevertheless, once Triple H was back in the fray, it was game over for The McMahons who failed to capitalize on the advantage they had. Shane was going for Coast to Coast on Triple H but Michaels nailed Shane with a brilliant Sweet Chin Music out of nowhere in mid-air. Vince's fate was sealed when HBK hit Vince with the Sweet Chin Music and Triple H picked up the win with a Pedigree.
2 Mick Foley Vs. Ric Flair
Unquestionably, the most violent match of SummerSlam 2006 featured an "I Quit" match between Ric Flair and Mick Foley. The two legends had a personal disdain for each other as Flair called Foley a "glorified stuntman." Nonetheless, The Hardcore Legend was right at home in this setting as he nailed Flair with a barbed wire baseball bat earlier on and Flair wore the proverbial crimson mask.
Naitch finally got a stranglehold on proceedings and he busted Foley wide open. It was a remarkable brawl between the two former WWE Champions, but the finish was disappointing. Melina, who was Foley's friend at the time, was pleading with Flair not to strike Foley with the barbed wire baseball bat. Naitch was like a possessed animal and he was going to strike Melina with it which forced Foley to utter the words "I Quit."
1 Edge Vs. John Cena
Edge and John Cena's rivalry was the best feud of 2006, and the WWE Championship was up for grabs in the main event. The Rated R Superstar had to be extremely careful as he would lose the WWE Title if he got himself intentionally disqualified. Nonetheless, Big Match John had the hometown advantage with the match taking place in Boston.
Their chemistry together was superb, and the babyface and heel dynamics worked perfectly in their rivalry. The WWE Women's Champion Lita had a chair in hand but Edge dropped it as he would lose the WWE Championship if he used it. Ultimately, The Rated-R Superstar retained the gold after he clocked Cena in the back of the head with a pair of brass knuckles in a competitive WWE Title match.